Mark Masonry.

we thoroughly investigated the matter , and we unanimously recommended to * his Royal Highness tho M . W . G . M ., that this allowance should be awsirded to Bro . Binckes , in consideration of his past services to the Order of

Mark Masons . I havo the greatest pleasure m moving , now , that a retiring allowance of £ 125 be voted by Grand Mark Lodge ; that the sum of £ 125 a year be given to him , from the Funds of Grand Mark Lodge . Lo d Euston stated that Brother Binckes sent thc

resignation through him to His Royal Highness . His Royal Highness accej tad it , and confirmed the recommendation of the General Board , that Bro . Matier should bo appointed Grand Secretary . Brother Frank Richardson , Grand

Registrar , as President of the General Board , had much pleasure in seconding this resolution . Bro . Binckes had served Mark Masonry well and truly , and should receive somo recognition of appreciation for his services . He

had , therefore , much pleasure in seconding tho motion , ¦ which was pnt and carried . Brother C . F . Matier was then formally invested with the collar and jewel of Grand Secretary . Bro . W . J . Hughan said : Most Worshipful

Pro Grand Master , will you allow me , as the representative of the Grand Chapter of Pennsylvania , in Grand Mark Lodge of England , to present " Hearty good wishes " of that Grand Chapter to this Grand Lodge . It was the first

Grand Chapter that recognised this Grand Lodge . I am sorry that ono of the brethren from tho United States is not here . He left this country this morning , and he very much regrets not being able to be present . He represents

150 , 000 Mark Masons , of the United States and Canada , and ho thought such good wishes were worth having . Ho was happy also to say that he heartily congratulated this Grand Lodge on the appointment of Bro . Matier , as

Grand Secretary . Bro . Matier was then formally saluted , and Lord Egerton said there was no other business on the paper , but there was ono event which was about to happen that he felt justified in asking the

brethren to give a favourable reception to . He alluded to the approaching marriage of the eldest daughter of our Grand Master , the Princess Louise , with the Earl of Fife . He was sure that an event like that , which affects so

clot-ely the welfare and happiness of His Royal Highness the Most Worshipful Grand Master , must be recognised by all Mark Masons , and would givo every satisfaction to Mark Masons , who would also liko to testify their loyalty

aud affection to their Grand Master on such an occasion ; therefore it would nofc be inappropriate that he should move that a humblo address be presented to His Royal Highness the Most Worshipful Grand

Master , congratulating him on tbe auspicious event of the marriage of his eldest daughter , the Princess Louise , -with the Earl of Fife . All would agree that wo should not allow this opportunity to pass by

without expressing our great joy and sympathy with his Royal Highness on such an interesting occasion . We know also that her Royal Highness , like all the members of the Royal Family , has been well known to Masons on various public

occasions , and has shown her interest in all Masonic events . Wo also know that Lord Fife has taken a prominent part in Scotland in Masonry , as Provincial Grand Master of Banffshire , and he is also known as a Royal Arch Mason in the Scottish Ordar . We have therefore

every reason to greatly congratulate ourselves , as Masons , that the oldest daughter of our Grand Master is about to ally herself to a distinguished Mason . He had much pleasure in moving the resolution , and he trusted it

would be received as cordially by Grand Lodge as he moved it . " That a congratulatory address be presented to H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , Grand Mark Master , on the auspicious marriage of H . R H . the Princess Louise of Wales

with Bro . the Earl of Fife , P . G . M . of Banffshire . " ' The Earl of Euston seconded the motion . No words were needed from him , after what the Most Worshipful Pro

Grand Master had said . Mark Masons are loyal , and wish every happiness fco their Grand Master and his family . After some other matters had been considered , Grand Mark Lodsre was closed .

Mark Benevolent Fund.

MARK BENEVOLENT FUND .

'T'EE annual festival was held on Wednesday , at Freemasons ' -1- Tavern , where a large company of ladies and brethren , presided over by Sir Lionel Darell , Junior Grand Wurden , attended . Among those present were Lady Darell , and Miss Darell ; Right Hon . the Ea : l of Euston , President General Board j Col . Shadwell H . Gierke P . S . G . W . ; Major A . B . Cook P . G . M . O ., and Mrs . Cook ; Seva Ham

Mark Benevolent Fund.

and Mrs . Ram , of Lahore ; E . X . Lehon P . G . D . P . G . Secretary Jamaica ; Frank Richardson G . Registrar , Vice-President General Board ; G . P . Matier P . G . W . G . Secretary , Secretary M . B . F . ; James Moon P . G . Treasnrer , Thos . Fenn P . G . W ., Goo . Mickloy P . G . D ., J . D . Murray P . G . D ., G . W . Marsden , Dr . Zacharie G . S . R . Secret Monitor ,

Alfred Williams P . G . Overseer , Col . Marmaduke Ramsey D . G . M . Mediterranean , A . F . Godson P . G . M . Worcestershire , Baron de Ferrieres P . G . M . Gloucestershire and Herefordshire , Robert Borridsre G . D . of ( J ., Dr . Pnrehas ! G . Standard Bearer , R . J . Emmerson P . G . O ., Rev . H . R . Cooper-Smith P . G . O ., Elorutio Ward P . G . D ., Percy Wallis

P . G . D ., A . Woodiwiss , Mayor of Derby , C . IT . Driver P . G . M . O ., Gen . Cooper P . G . O ., and James Terry P . A . G . D . C . Aft » r the banqnet tho toast the Queen and Mark Masonry waa cordially received . Tho Chairman in proposing the health of the M . W . G . M . M . M . said , wher . e ^ er the Prince of Wales could , he did everything to promote the

highest interests of Fivomasonry . The G . M . had many onerous and arduous duties , and the brethren knew how faithfully and strictly he performed them . He might say , without fear of contradiction that no man in the world performed the duties of his high station with a greater sense of responsibility than did the Grand Mark

Master . This might also be said with regard to the rest of the Royal Family . On the present occasion , especially as the festive board was graced with the presence of ladies , he must allude to the happy event which was about to take place in the familv of the Grand Master , viz ., the marriage of his eldest daughter , the Princess

Loaise , with the Earl of Fife . They were assured by their Grand Master that this marriage waa one of love and affection . Lord Fife was a Mason , he was Prov . G . Master of Banffshire , also a Mark Mason . On the present occasion , in drinking to the health of the Grand Master , he mnst couple the Princess of Wales , the Princess Louise

and Lord Fife , the bride and bridegroom , wishing them long life , health , happiness , prosperity , and God speed . The Chairman next proposed the Pro Grand Master the Right Hon . the Lord Egerton of Tatton , and the Past Grand Masters , the Right Hon . Lord Leigh , tho Right Hon . the Earl of Carnarvon , the Right Hon .

the Earl Amherst , W . W . B . Beach , Esq ., M . P ., tho Right Hon . the Earl Percy , M . P ., the Right Hon . the Earl of Limerick , the Right Hon . the Karl of Lathom , the Right Hon . the Lord Henniker , and the Right Hon . the Earl of Kintore . Lord Egerton of Tatton was very sorry he was not able to be present . AIL knew full well the

good work that these Past Grand Masters have done , and we are quite sure they will alwaya do what they can to promote the best interests of Mark Masonry . The Chairman , in giving the toast of the R . W . Bro . the Most Hon . the Marquis of Hertford , Deputy Grand Master , Prov . Grand Master . of Warwickshire , and that of the

Grand Officers Present and Past , said it was fresh in the memories of most of them how well and ably the Marquis of Hertford had filled the Chair at this Festival last year , They were alwaya glad on these occasions to welcome Grand Officers , and they were glad to see them present that evening . With the toasfc would be associated

the name of Bro . the Rev . T . Robinson , Provincial Grand Master of Kent . Bro . Rev . T . Robinson thanked the brethren on behalf of his brother Officers , —whether noblemen or commoners , whether present or past , whether belonging to tbe Metropolis or to the Provinces ; he returned sincere thanks for the way

iu which tho toast had been received . Every Master of a Lodge , every Grand Office must have its Officers ; and we are all sensible of the honour which the Grand Master has done us in promoting us to high office . If , ia case of death or sickness , or the pressure of secular avocations , a Present Officer is prevented from

doing his work , there are others always ready to step forward , out of loyalty to their chief , to take his place . The Earl of Enston rose ; the toast he was about to submit to the notice of the brethren was one they would all drink with enthusiasm ; it gave him the most hearty pleasure to propose it , because the Chairman of the evening

was a pergonal friend . Those who did not know the Chairman so well as he did , might be assured Sir Lionel Darrell was a thorough good Mason , from the crown of his head to the sole of his foot . He would ask them to drink most heartily to the toast , wishing Sir Lionel good luck in the future , and that he might live amongst them

to help them by the earnest way in whioh he always took up whatever work he put his hand to . In reply the Chairman said he was much obliged to their good brother for the far too flattering manner in which he had mentioned his name , and fco the ladies and brethren for the way in whioh they had received the

toast . He could assure them that he really had the greatest appreciation of Masonry . The word " Mason" alwaya to him had a good metallic ring about it . It was now hia pleasure to propose the toast of the evening—viz ., "Prosperity to the Mark Benevolent Fund . " When he was asked to take the chair on this occasion he did so with

some diffidence , not for fear of the present , for their good Bro . Matier would shortly announce the Stewards' lists , whioh he hoped would be a fair record with those of former years , but it was for the future of the Mark Benevolent Fund that he appealed that evening . Thia Fund was founded some 21 years ago . Ic differed from other Masonic

Institutions , in tnat it had no houses to keep up , and was at very little expense ; in fact , with the exception of printing and postage , and an annual grant to the Secretary , all the money that waa subscribed went for actual benevolence . It waa divided into three branches , the benevolent , the edncational , and the annuity . Sums for the

benevolent were given in relief every month by the General Board , and since the year 1869 these sums had amounted to considerably over £ 2000 . The educational branch was established only in 1879 , and since that time 40 children had been educated at their own homes under the cave of their parents and guardians , and in the year 1886 it

was resolved that £ 5 be annually given to each pupil for clothes . This required a yearly expenditure of something like £ 450 . The annuity branch was founded in the year 1885 , by the liberality of Lord

Egerton of Tatton , who as a nucleus to the Fund gave a sum of £ 105 . The Fund now gave to five old brethren £ 26 a year each , and £ 5 extra was given at Christmas . There were three candidates now seeking relief , but it would depend on the liberality of the Stewards to attend